Tag Archives: Young-Shin

I’ve taken a long time writing this review. I’ve read so many good ones that I didn’t know what I could write that wouldn’t sound repetitious. Also, I feel this drama is so delicate and beautiful, that It will be hard for me to do it justice. So I decided to start writing a few thoughts and let my feelings guide me. I feel I appreciated this drama more, on my second watch, and I still think there are things my limited understanding can’t grasp, but my soul can perceive. It is a drama that seems so simple and it is yet so deep.

Synopsis: The story of a single mother raising a child with AIDS, in a small island. She has managed to keep her daughter’s disease, a secret, to protect her from prejudice and give her a life, as normal as possible. Pretty soon a Doctor comes to the island. He has the mission to ask forgiveness to the child, in the name of his girlfriend. His diseased girlfriend, also a doctor, accidentally gave the child, infected blood while trying to save her life.

No matter how we put it, that premise sounds tragic, doesn’t it? I feel however, that Thank You is not just about the tragedy of terminal illness, or about individuals facing mortality. While it deals with such heavy themes, it is more focused on “life”. That miracle of life that sometimes we don’t appreciate until it’s threatened. It is also about prejudice, the question of self worth, and about how we chose to view the world. Is it a beautiful place that we should embrace? Or is it a scary place that we should protect ourselves from and where we have to constantly fight for what we want? Does being nice equal being dumb? Does being selfish equal being strong? How much of our happiness is up to us? What exactly do we need to be happy?

The drama asks these and many more questions, and instead of giving us a definite answer, it gives us different views and options through the eyes of its characters. Who do we identify with and who do we want to identify with? After all, they all have valid points.

On the one hand, we have a cynical view, represented in different ways by Grandma, Suk Hyun and initially Dr Min. They all underestimate Young Shin, because she is always smiling at the world that mistreats her. Why is she so stubborn, why doesn’t she defend herself? Why is she such a pabo?

As the story progresses, the three of them learn to appreciate Young Shin’s inner strength. We, the audience, also learn.

I have to admit, as obnoxious as Dr Min could be at times, I was with him many of the times he shook Young Shin into reacting. After all, being a good person does not mean you need to take abuse, correct? I appreciated a kdrama male lead, who wasn’t doing the “mistreating” himself but was rather getting upset at the female lead for allowing others to mistreat her. I have been in Dr Min’s position many times in my life (being that I’m far from passive myself)

However, the difference between Young Shin and other typical submissive female leads (some played by Gong Hyo Jin as well) is that her “problem” is not just about guilt and self esteem issues. There is some of that! She is a single mother with an ill child who she seems to punish herself and does not allow others to “help” her, as if she didn’t deserve such help or expect it. She seems to want to carry her burdens herself and not bother anyone.

But there is more to it. Besides, guilt, low self esteem and heightened sense of responsibility, there seems to be a conscious decision to build a “beautiful” world for her child, despite the fact that she knows said world, can be pretty harsh. Hey, she is a mother, so I guess it is as simple as that. Don’t all parents have this dilemma? We want our children to be happy, but aware of the world, strong enough to confront it, but not afraid to live in it.

Suk Hyun was moved when he realized, Young Shin taught Bom that her father was a nice guy

So I liked that Dr Min shook her off the “guilt” and reassured her of her value, she did not have to take abuse from anyone, but I also loved that he saw her strength as a mother and woman. She carried the world on her shoulders and he wanted to help, but he never intended to “change” her.

I guess you already can tell that I highly recommend this drama. The story, the beautiful messages I’m probably not fully understanding but somehow perceiving since there is nothing “hammered over the head” with this drama, the characters, the acting. It is easy to believe these people exist. It is worth watching in every sense.

While rewatching I wrote a few posts that highlight some scenes and points I loved in the drama. The posts include a lot of captures and gifs as well 🙂 I provide links below for easy access:

Min Kiseo and his girlfriend, rethinking my first impressionshttps://stuckonhyuk.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/thank-you-min-kiseo-and-his-girlfriend-rethinking-my-first-impressions/I also remember my perception that Min Kiseo was a jerk, so I judged him harshly, thinking that his pain didn’t justify his lashing out (I still get upset when he kicks the dog’s house though!) Yes! I was cold and judgemental! But I guess I’ve seen my share of “jerk male leads” in kdramas since then, so Min Kiseo is truly an “angel” in comparison. Not only that, he is self-aware. He knows he is in hell, he knows he is miserable, the self loathing is evident and he just feels he has no way out. You can feel his desperation entangled with his arrogance. I appreciated how every time anyone asked him if he was ok, Dr Min’s answer would be “No, I am not ok”. Most machos would not admit to this. Continue reading

Impossible! It’s impossible to be selective! This is the last batch of favorite moments between Young Shin and Min Kiseo, and it seems I just included ALL their scenes. Oh well! I love them! Let’s see how long this post will be.

“CAN I BE YOUR MAN FROM NOW ON”

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MIN KISEO IS PERFECT PART 1 – He can wash his lady’s hair

MIN KISEO IS PERFECT PART 2 – He can cook! Ok, we don’t really know that, but at least he offered

MIN KISEO IS PERFECT PART 3 – Even if he can’t cook, he knows the importance of FOOD! MAJOR BOUNS POINTS MY MINKI! (Marry me now!!!)

Ok, this was a bit TMI, but, he is a doctor after all 🙂

The guy knows how to get to a woman’s heart 🙂

“I WANT TO BE IN YOUR FAMILY” – Despite Suk Hyun’s attempt to discourage Dr Min, he asks Young Shin if he can become part of her family (and we meltssss)

I’VE BEEN TELLING YOU ALL ALONG

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DR MIN IS JEALOUS OF DOGGY: An now we understand why he kept kicking the dog house. But it was still not nice Dr Min!

I’M JUST DIFFERENT RIGHT? – This scene is so significant and well done. Only actors with the talent of Jang Hyuk and Gong Hyo Jin could pull off a scene like this, where almost everything is said with the eyes. She is finally assertive. Does the fact that she doesn’t see a need to rush to find Bom a father mean she is rejecting Dr Min now? His expression suggest disappointment on one hand, but pride on the other. He is proud that Young Shin became more assertive, partially thanks of him. At least, that is what I see! I wonder how you guys interpret this scene.

SLEEPY MIN-KISEO: Crisis is over! Min Kiseo brought Bom back from Seoul while everyone was asleep (therefore no one learned of his heroic act, boohoo) and then he was so tired he could barely get up! awwww

THE KISS ON THE ROAD: Min Kiseo invites Young Shin for a drink (because what is k-drama without the main couple getting hammered?) and so yes, this leads to a very interesting conversation, still not very obvious confessions, an almost kiss, angst, an actual but still one sided kiss, etc ENJOY!

Yup! I love her and Jang Hyuk, the actor, also loves her, according to these quotes that I found in old interviews. Jang Hyuk himself will help me tell you why I love Young Shin so much! And pardon our rambling (both Jang Hyuk and I are ramblers, so please bear with us :D)

I like the character of Min Ki Seo, but my favorite role in the drama is Young Shin, acted by Gong Hyo-Jin. Though Min Kiseo gave me a feeling of starting anew, I think the feeling of starting anew is more matched with Young Shin’s personality. Young Shin is a person who believes in hope. She shows her toughness when facing life. She cherished all of her possessions without any unrealistic aspirations. She lived genuinely. As for Min Ki Seo, I saw it just as an actor. This drama let you feel hopeful and Young Shin’s personality brought people hope. Thus, Young Shin’s role was more impressive to me. If I were a woman, I would certainly choose to act Young Sin”. – Jang Hyuk

I love romances that start slowly. Where you can actually see how it develops and even more so, when it is not based on physical attraction. I think the moment where we can tell Dr Min is falling for Young Shin, or rather Young Shin’s family, is when he overheard Lee Bom singing Clementine to her mom.

It is true that I got frustrated at Young Shin for never kissing my Min Kiseo properly, but I also have to admit that this behavior fits the character of Young Shin perfectly. This is a woman who has chosen to forget she is a “woman” in order to become “Lee Bom’s mom”. She describes herself as a piece of furniture. This is not just about kdrama being prude, it is part of this story, so we forgive

Having said that, the scenes pre kiss and almost kiss in this drama, are hotter than many kiss or sex scenes I’ve seen. Sometimes the “unresolved sexual tension” is more satisfying. It’s all about those eyes full of love, passion and desire isn’t it?

Anyway, here are some of my favorite romantic and sexy scenes between Young Shin (Gong Hyo Jin) and Min Kiseo (Jang Hyuk)

MIN KISEO DRIES YOUNG SHIN’S TEARS: A convalescent Kiseo finds Young Shin sleeping next to him and crying. He feels sorry for her and tries to dry her tears. This is the first time he tries to do something nice for her, his ice cold shield is cracking